Road Attack v Pilot Road (or power) on wet conditions

[GRN]

Yup, total $#!T head newbie first post thing to do... another tire thread... sorry folks

Just doing my homework, after 10 years and about 100K miles on Honda ST's, I'm taking a real hard look at a showroom cherry '98 VFR with only a little over 1,700 miles on it... man, what a sweet bike. It'll be the fourth bike in the garage which is not likely to fly w/ SWAMBO (even though one of them is hers), and I'm digging my new WeeStrom way too much to see it go. I love the ST13, but it can be a pig, and I only really take advantage of it's range a few times a year... ranges that I believe are way doable on the VFR.

So for ya'll that have run both sets of rubber, and tend to ride the twistier stuff a little harder, how do they compare on water? I have run the PR's on the ST and found them to be far better than any BS, Dunlop, or Metz's I've had on either the ST11 or 13. They do suck on tar snakes though, wet or dry, hot or cold...

TIA, cya around, ride safe.

[reg71]

Are you kiddin a 98 with that few miles! Where is it? You mentioned the only two types of tire I have run on my VFR which happens to be a 98. Not much wet riding here in cali, though. Here's my take on those tires: the pilot roads last longer and stick decent. The road attacks stick better and last pretty well. I'm at over 2000 miles and the tires still look pretty good (contis) they are starting to slip some under poweer, though. I'm thinking maybe 1000 more so 3000 give or take. I got 5000 out of the michelin, but I rode it past when I should have. Prob 4000 is a good estimate. Hope that helps...

[John451]

Originally Posted by GRN

tend to ride the twistier stuff a little harder,

It you like the twisties try Pilot Powers.

They are fantastic in the dry, great in the wet, for Sports tyres last the miles and suit the VFR perfectly.

[phycocircus]

the powers are the way to go in the twisties.dont have them on the vfr yet.but they do have the new daul compound tire out and i want to try it.also they grip great in the rain. so i guess i like them lol

[Florida]

It rains every day in Florida. Never had Power Pilots, but I can testify that Continental Road Attacks are fantastic in the rain. I also ride the Smokie Mountains several times a year. The Road Attacks turn in nicely and have fierce grip in the twisties. And the dual compound center doesn't wear prematurely on the thousand miles of Interstate I have to take to get to the mountains. Highly recommended. I got mine from Tire Express for $220/set including shipping.

Here's a link to an in-depth review of Road Attacks on a VFR: http://www.onewheeldrive.net/index.p...475&Itemid=130

As an aside, I'm always amazed at how little mileage most people report getting from their tires. I replaced the OEM Dunlops at 8500 miles because the center of the rear tire was getting a little thin. Too much Florida flat and straight riding. I don't wheelie or burn-out, but I certainly don't have any trouble keeping up with the 'Busas, FJRs and K1200s in our riding group. (Actually, when we finally get to the mountains, they have trouble keeping up with me.) I think the key to tire life is fanatical attention to tire pressure. I check mine (cold) before every ride and reset to 36 psi front/42 psi rear if I'm even a half-pound off. Hope this helps.

[stephanon2whls]

I don't ride in the rain if I can help it, and I haven't been caught out in the rain since I put on the Conti Road Attacks at the beginning of the season.

I agree with almost all of the points in the article Florida linked to...

Confidence inspiring performance with great wear....

I ride semi-aggressively on twisty and straight two-lane roads with little expressway riding at all... (Think S.E. PA and Norhtern MD - OFF I-95)

I have over 2000 miles on the Conti Road Attacks and can still read the "Road Attack" lettering on the center of the front tire. More of the front tire surface (side to side) gets used on the Conti's than on the Pilot Sports I used to have and I think that is why the steering feel is better on the Conti's. I think the curvature and construction of the front tire suits the VFR geometry better than the Pilot Sports. I have the rear tire scrubbed all the way to the edge and the center of the rear tire is holding up well...

For reference, I wore out the stock D204K's in 6000 and two sets of Pilot Sports in 12000 miles total. Assuming linear tire wear, the past three sets of tires would have already been worn 1/3 of the way at 2000 miles... The Conti's are barely worn at this point and look like they'll take me farther than the previous tires. The rain sipes are extra deep, so water evacuation won't be an issue until they are WELL worn.

I swore by the Pilot Sports until they disontinued that tire.... Then I took the leap to the Conti's and I have to say I'll be staying with them probably until Conti discontinues the tire.

Here's my tire review on the VFRWorld Forums: ARTICLE LINK

-Stephan

P.S. I totally agree with Florida's fanatical attention to tire pressure. I do weekly tire pressure checks AT A MINIMUM. Having completed several automotive tire development programs at work (think Detroit OEM performance vehicle operation group), I can tell you tire pressure is CRITICAL to get the most performance and wear from your tires. Air pressure supports the structure of the tire and gives it the ride and handling qualities you expect.

[RVFR]

OMG another tire question lol, just curious about what Bridgestone you used both 020 or ss12 are a great tire. I use Pirelli Diablos Corsas good fit for my style of riding And I tend to be more on the rail side off it. You know there's a trade off, if you rail you want a stickie tire, period. if you just ride to ride not so important, if you do what a majority of us do, PPs work, Dullop Qs work as well as well as what I use. even the right BS works. Can't figure why it comes up in where one worry's or complains etc. about mileage vs staying up on two wheels. I'd rather have a worn out tire in under what was expected as to want it to go say 10k and be in the risk factor of having problems handling the twisties, small price to pay to have it stick right, so if I only get 4-5K out of them no harm so be it. BTW, your fogiven for posting up this thread. good to see another VFR rider,
Okay, now what about what oil you use? LOL

[MrDe]

"I'd rather have a worn out tire in under what was expected as to want it to go say 10k and be in the risk factor of having problems handling the twisties, small price to pay to have it stick right, so if I only get 4-5K out of them no harm so be it."

++ A point, I whole-heartedly applaud.

[stephanon2whls]

Originally Posted by RVFR

OMG another tire question lol,

OMG, LOL, HFS, another self-proclaimed pro-street rider. Why not just buy a set of DOT slick tires for your bike since you rail so hard on the street ?

I enjoy a great strafing run thru the twisties for sure, but I KNOW that I rarely require GP-bike grip levels on the street. If you think you do that's great, but I think you're fooling yourself. If you really DO require that grip level on the street you are travelling so fast that you are endangering more than just yourself - save it for the next trackday. It's not even about the money, dood... It's just a plain PITA do the whole wheel tire R&R process. So why do it more often if I don't have to ? Some people have realized they can be happy with a very good tire with longer wear than a SUPERheroSPORT tire with more frequent tire changes.

Seriously though.. I hate an oil or tire thread like the next guy, but the fact remains no matter what car or motorcycle internet forum you visit, recurring threads will exist that drive people crazy. Oil, tires, chainlube, boost controllers, wax, etc. Endless volumes of repeated history.

Here's the deal: If you hate tire threads, stay out of 'em. If you hate oil threads, stay out of 'em. Go 'rail' on your VFR instead.

Peace.

-S

[RVFR]

LOL Hope no one took me to serious, just funny is all. I can talk tires, oil what you favorite color etc. all day long so bring it on.. I'm cool with it.

[stephanon2whls]

Originally Posted by RVFR

LOL Hope no one took me to serious, just funny is all. I can talk tires, oil what you favorite color etc. all day long so bring it on.. I'm cool with it.

No harm no foul, dood...

Just don't scare the newbies away....

-S

[MrDe]

I'm always ready to talk, listen, read anything about motorcycles. I never tire (pun intended ) of talking tires, oil, wax, cleaning, mods, riding et al (except around here lately - PNW - I'd need scuba gear ). And I'm not sure anyone here is either; or why would we be here (unless of course 'cause it's raining!).

[Action]

I think people that use their bike to commute like I do, are concerned about mileage (wear). I usually put more than 1000 miles a month on the bike and most of them are on major roads and the slab – no curves. So, I do look for a longer wearing tire that still has good grip. Right now I have D220 ST’s on and they seem to be wearing well and providing all the cornering grip I need. If I can get an extra couple of thousand of miles out of a set of tires and still be satisfied with their performance I’m all for it.

[SteveM]

I've got about 1000 miles on some Pilot Powers and love them so far. They're great for the twisties or a track day and seem to be wearing well for a sport tire.

Cheers,
Steve

[VaRollOn]

An interesting mix of responses.. cheers to GRN!!! Welcome!

I've always loved the feel of good tires, and weighing the 200$ VS my RIDE/ASS has always come up in my mind "switch them cuppin biatches!!!", but I'm a little paranoid admittedly.

I've also had some heavy front cupping bikes. I can't wait to jack the D204's once I cough up cash. For now just getting acquainted. I'd try Continental, Michelin though is hard to beat